The Dark

The unputdownable and pulse-raising Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month

By: Emma Haughton

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

An electrifying debut thriller for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.

One dead body.
Twelve suspects.
Twenty-four-hour darkness.

In the most inhospitable environment - cut off from the rest of the world - there's a killer on the loose.

A&E doctor Kate North has been knocked out of her orbit by a personal tragedy. So when she's offered the chance to be an emergency replacement at the UN research station in Antarctica, she jumps at the chance. The previous doctor, Jean-Luc, died in a tragic accident while out on the ice.

The move seems an ideal solution for Kate: no one knows about her past; no one is checking up on her. But as total darkness descends for the winter, she begins to suspect that Jean-Luc's death wasn't accidental at all. And the more questions she asks, the more dangerous it becomes for them all....

©2021 Emma Haughton (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critic reviews

"The kind of heart-pounding, sleep-stealing read that you want to recommend to everyone you meet. An absolutely thrilling book." (Cass Green)

"Tense, thrilling and unpredictable, with one of the most unique and dangerous settings imaginable." (Allie Reynolds)

"Tense, twisted and quite literally chilling - a locked room mystery in a unique setting where no one can be trusted." (Susi Holliday)

"Set against the dangerous sub-zero temperatures end endless night of the Antarctic.... Brilliantly atmospheric and terrifying." (Catherine Cooper)

Expected More

I thought the end would be more exciting. The story is overall very misleading. Too many threads. But, since admittedly I couldn’t guess the killer … meh … I give it 3 stars

Kept my attention

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Interesting story with a flawed MC, which I liked.

Started off liking this and then lost patience

The reviews were solid, for the most part, so I had high hopes. Apologies to Kristin Atherton, but I struggled to relate to the reading, as Kate's character sounded so high-pitched and desperate all the time -- she stayed at one emotional register. Granted the character was in an impossible situation, but dramatically speaking it was hard for me to care about her because every moment was so elevated. I wonder if that would be the same if I were reading on the page -- doubt it. After about two-thirds into the book, I fast-forwarded to the final chapters because, well, enough was enough. I don't recommend this audible book.